Method of making trim strip end finishes

ABSTRACT

Contoured end structures are disclosed for trim strips of the character particularly suited for mounting on an automobile to provide protective and decorative interior or exterior trim for the vehicle. The end structures have various configurations and are produced by removing a portion of the trim strip material between side portions thereof to define V-shaped notches or recesses and then deforming the remaining portions of the trim strip adjacent the recess to close the recess and bring laterally opposite edges thereof into juxtapositional relationship. The juxtaposed edges are then bonded by heat sealing to complete the forming operation.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 213,435 filed Dec. 29,1971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to the art of trim strips and, more particularly,to the forming of contoured end finishes or end structures for trimstrips.

Plastic trim strips have been provided heretofore which are adapted tobe mounted on an underlying surface to provide decorative and/orprotective trim for the article on which they are mounted. While manyarticles such as tables, counters, desks and luggage are trimmed in thismanner, one of the most prominent uses of trim strip of this charactertoday is in conjunction with automobiles. For example, exterior fenderand door panels of vehicles are provided with elongated trim stripsections to protect the vehicle panel against denting and scratchingthereof such as might occur when an adjacent car door is openedthereagainst and to provide a decorative stripe or strips extendingalong the side of the vehicle.

Plastic trim strips of the foregoing character may have any one of avariety of cross-sectional configurations designed to provide for thestrip to project outwardly from the underlying surface to provide thedesired protective function and at the same time to provide the stripwith a decorative appearance. More particularly, such strips include abody portion having an inner surface by which the strip is adapted to beadhesively or otherwise mounted on an underlying support surface and anouter surface having a desired contour to provide decorative and/orprotective functions. The outer surface may be provided with decorativemeans to further enhance the decorative appearance resulting from thecontour thereof. For example, the outer surface of the trim strip may beconvex in contour and may be provided with a longitudinally coextensivefilm of metallized polyethylene terephthalate extending laterallythereacross, whereby the plastic trim strip has the appearance of ametal strip. As another example, the trim strip may be contoured incross section to define a convex intermediate portion bounded on itsopposite sides by wider or narrower side portions having a convex orother configuration and which side portions are covered with a thin filmof metallized polyethylene terephthalate, whereby the strip has theappearance of a metallic strip carrying an intermediate plastic bumperstrip, or a plastic trim strip having narrow metal stripes along theopposite side edges thereof. Moreover, the plastic portion of the trimstrip intermediate the metal appearing portions may be provided withdecorative surface means. For example, a grained appearance can beachieved by introducing impressions into the plastic surface during theforming thereof, or by covering the intermediate portion of the trimstrip with a thin plastic film having a wood grain or line patternpre-printed thereon. Yet another example of a decorative appearancecould be defined by covering the intermediate portion of the trim stripwith a thin film of metallized polyethylene terephthalate as opposed tocovering the side portions of the strip. It will be appreciated thatmany trim strip cross-sectional configurations are possible and that awide variety of possibilities exist for imparting a decorativeappearaance to a trim strip having a given cross-sectionalconfiguration.

Trim strips of the foregoing character are generally produced byextruding the plastic material in an elongated continuous strip which iscut to provide strips of desired length for use, or which is wound orcoiled on a spool or the like from which desired lengths can bewithdrawn and cut when needed. Further, the extrusion provides thedesired cross-sectional configuration for the strip and if materialssuch as films of metallized polyethylene terephthalate are to beassociated with the extruded strip to further accentuate the decorativeappearance provided by the cross-sectional contour, this can be achievedas the strip leaves the extrusion device. Further, pressure sensitiveadhesive may be applied to the underside of the trim strip as it leavesthe extrusion device so that the strip when cut in desired lengths orwhen wound on a reel is ready for mounting on an underlying supportsurface. If the strip is to be adhesively mounted on an underlyingsupport surface it is not necessary, of course, to apply the adhesivethereto during the strip forming operation. Further, trim strips of thisnature can be dielectrically bonded or attached by fastener elementssuch as screws to an underlying support surface in which cases noadhesive would be required.

When trim strips of the foregoing character are cut to length andmounted on an underlying support surface such as that defined by sideand door panels of a vehicle, it is desirable to provide for theopposite ends of the strip to have a contoured finish which lends to thedecorative appearance provided by the portions of the strip intermediatethe opposite ends. Heretofore, the ends of such trim strips have simplybeen cut along a transverse line perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the strip and, sometimes, the cut is along a plane inclined withrespect to the longitudinal axis giving the end a tapered appearance.While end forming of the latter character may be acceptable undercertain circumstances, it remains that the decorative appearance of thestrip as a whole is detracted from by such an abrupt termination.Moreover, the decorative appearance of the strip may be furtherdetracted from by such an abrupt termination depending on the particularcross-sectional contour of the strip and the manner in which it isprovided with a decorative outer surface. In any event, any detractionfrom the decorative appearance of the trim strip is objectionable and isnot well received by automotive manufacturers who apply such strips totheir vehicle or by the public who buys the vehicles or has such trimstrip applied to an existing vehicle or other article which is to beprotected and/or decorated.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that it becomesdesirable to provide trim strips with finished end structures which lendto the decorative appearance of the strip as opposed to detracting fromsuch appearance. Moreover, it becomes desirable to provide such trimstrips with a variety of decorative end finishes, thus to provideautomotive manufacturers or the general public with a number ofdifferent end finishes to select from. Such a variety of desirable endfinishes is provided in accordance with the present invention. In thisrespect, elongated trim strips having structural characteristicsincluding those described hereinabove advantageously can be providedwith any one of a wide variety of contoured end finishes including, forexample, a pointed end, a round end, a square end, a fish-tail end, andmany others, and in any one of which end finishes the decorativeappearance of the trim strip ahead of the end finish is advantageouslymaintained throughout the end finish.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foregoingend finish structures, and others, are formed by removing a portion ofthe trim strip material to provide for remaining portions of the trimstrip material to define a recess having at least two edges. Theremaining portions of the trim strip material are displaced relative toone another to bring the two edges of the recess substantially intojuxtaposed relationship, and the remaining portions of the trim stripmaterial are then suitably interconnected. Thus, the juxtaposed edgesare retained in juxtaposed relationship and the displaced portions ofthe trim strip are retained in their displaced disposition to define adesired end finish contour. The removal of trim strip material to definethe recess may be achieved in any suitable manner such as by cutting thematerial of the trim strip. Further, the interconnection of theremaining portions of the trim strip defining the recess can be achievedin any suitable manner such as by bonding or the use of fasteners and,preferably, is achieved by heat sealing the juxtaposed edges together.Preferably, the strip material is heated prior to displacement of thetrim strip portions either to facilitate such displacement or tofacilitate both the displacement and heat sealing of the juxtaposededges when heat sealing is employed. It will be appreciated, of course,that when heat sealing is employed, the displacement of the sideportions can be achieved without heat and the strip heated thereafter toachieve heat sealing. Heating of the trim strip material can be achievedby any desired heating means such as, for example, a heating blockhaving a contour corresponding to that of the recess and which isdisposed in close proximity to or in engagement with the edges of therecess for the necessary period of time to elevate the temperature ofthe trim strip to the desired temperature for displacement ordisplacement and heat sealing. Displacement of the trim strip portionsto bring the recess edges into juxtaposition for heat sealing can beachieved by hand displacement of the parts or by the use ofappropriately contoured forming blocks movable into engagement with thetrim strip portions from opposite sides thereof or longitudinallythereof, for example. Preferably, pressure is applied to the trim stripportions during the heat sealing operation to assure a good bond andavoid undesirable spaces or gaps between the bonded edges along thelength thereof. If necessary, the finished end may be trimmed after theheat sealing operation to remove any excess plastic material which mayexude from between the edges as a result of applied pressure.

Trim strips adapted to have end finishes formed thereon in accordancewith the present invention may have any desired cross-sectionalconfiguration, as mentioned hereinabove, and may be produced from anysuitable plastic material. Plastic materials for purposes of the presentinvention are organic materials that can be easily molded or shaped bymechanical or chemical action to give tough, non-crystalline substancesthat are solid at ambient temperatures. Synthetic resins and cellulosederivitives are the largest sources of such material. Trim strips of thecharacter described hereinabove generally are produced from athermoplastic vinyl polymeric composition, and polyvinyl chloride is thepreferred material for such trim strips. Regardless of the transversecontour of the outer surface of the trim strip, the strip has across-sectional configuration which includes side portions and anintermediate portion laterally between the side portions. The trim stripmay have a transversely continuous and smooth outer surface in whichcase the side portions and intermediate portion are defined by imaginerylines generally parallel to the longitudinal side edges of the trimstrip. In other instances, the trim strip may have a cross-sectionalconfiguration in which the side portions and intermediate portion arereadily distinguishable by lines of juncture therebetween resulting fromthe cross-sectional contour. In any event, a trim strip is adapted to becut and formed in accordance with the present invention in a mannerwhereby a most desirable blend of the side and intermediate portions isprovided for a given trim strip so that the decorative appearance of thestrip ahead of the end finish is maintained throughout the end finish.

An outstanding object of the present invention is the provision of anend finish for a trim strip in which the decorative appearance of thetrim strip ahead of the end finish is continued throughout the endfinish.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of plastic trimstrip end finishes which provide for a terminal end of a trim strip tohave a more decorative appearance than heretofore possible.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of plastic trimstrip end finishes in which adjacent portions of the plastic materialhave a line or lines of juncture therebetween which advantageously arenot readily visible.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a methodof forming plastic trim strip end finishes by which any one of a numberof end finished contours can be provided for a trim strip.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a methodof forming trim strip ends which provides for the decorative appearanceof a trim strip ahead of the formed end to be continued throughout theend finish.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of amethod of forming trim strip end finishes which is economical andreadily adaptable to the forming of trim strips having variouscross-sectional configurations.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of amethod of forming trim strip end finishes in which portions of the endof the formed trim strip have a line or lines of juncture therebetweenwhich are not readily visible, whereby the decorative appearance of theend finish is further enhanced.

The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in partpointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the descriptionof the drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the presentinvention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trim strip adapted to be provided withend finishes in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the manner in which anend finish is provided for the trim strip of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating the manner in whichanother end finish is formed on the trim strip of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating the manner in which yetanother finished end is formed on the trim strip of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views illustrating the manner in whichstill another end finish is formed on the trim strip of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the manner in whichanother end finish is formed on the trim strip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the structure of another trim stripadapted to be provided with end finishes in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views illustrating the manner in whichan end finish is formed on the trim strip illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of yet another trim strip structureadapted to be provided with end finishes in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views illustrating the manner in whichan end finish is formed on the trim strip of FIG. 15.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail wherein the showings arefor the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the inventiononly and not for the purpose of limiting the same, a trim strip 10 isillustrated in FIG. 1 which may, for example, be an extruded vinylcomponent. The trim strip includes an intermediate portion 12 and sideportions 14 and 16 extending along opposite sides of the intermediateportion. In this instance, intermediate portion 12 is illustrated ashaving a convex outer surface 18 and side portions 14 and 16 areillustrated as having convex outer surfaces 20 and 22 respectively. Itwill be appreciated that outer surfaces 18, 20 and 22 could be impressedwith a grained structure or other impressed design to provide the trimstrip with a decorative appearance. In the embodiment illustrated,however, the decorative appearance is provided by covering surfaces 20and 22 with corresponding films 24 and 26 of metallized polyethyleneterephthalate and impressing the plastic material of outer surface 18 ofthe intermediate portion to have a stipled effect. Thus, the trim striphas the appearance of an intermediate plastic portion bordered along itsopposite longitudinal side edges by side portions having a shinymetallic appearance. It will be appreciated, of course, that theintermediate portion will have a color corresponding to that of theplastic material which, of course, can be varied as desired to provide adesired contrast with the metallic appearance of the side portions. Trimstrips of the foregoing character generally are adhesively bonded to anunderlying support surface by adhesive means interposed between thebottom face of the strip and the support surface. Mounting may, ofcourse, be achieved by suitable mechanical fastening elements or bydielectric bonding. The particular manner of mounting is not pertinentto the present invention. Further, trim strips of the foregoingcharacter are often provided with a thin metal member, on the rear faceto provide bending stability, stability against longitudinal shrinkageand/or a mounting surface for adhesives. It will be appreciated thatsuch metal members may be provided on trim strips finished in accordancewith the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing illustrate the manner in which a trim stripof the character illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with a finished endin which the side portions of the trim strip and intermediate portionarcuately taper to a pointed end. The pointed end contour is formed byremoving a portion of the trim strip material in a manner whereby uncutor remaining side portion 30 and remaining intermediate portion 32define a recess 34 and remaining side portion 36 and remainingintermediate portion 32 define another recess 38. Recess 34 has twoedges, namely edge 30a defined by the inner surface of uncut sideportion 30 and edge 32a defined by the opposed surface of remainingportion 32. Similarly, recess 38 has two edges, namely, edge 36a definedby the inner surface of uncut side portion 36 and edge 32b defined bythe opposed surface of intermediate portion 32. Removal of the materialfrom the end of the trim strip to define recesses 34 and 38 may beachieved in any desired manner and, preferably, is removed by cutting.In this respect, each recess is defined by cutting the trim striplongitudinally along the line between intermediate portion 32 and thecorresponding side portion of the trim strip and cutting theintermediate portion along a cut line which intersects the first cutline and extends arcuately and longitudinally therefrom and into theintermediate portion. In this embodiment, each of the cut lines in theintermediate portion extends partially thereacross and intersectlaterally intermediate the side portions at a point correspondinggenerally with the longitudinal axis of the trim strip. Uncut endportions 30 and 36 are cut to a longitudinal length which provides foreach to be displaced laterally inwardly relative to the intermediateportion 32 and to terminate in abuting engagement at the pointed ortermine end of intermediate portion 32, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Itwill be appreciated that terminal ends 30b and 36b of side portions 30and 36, respectively, are tapered relative to the trim strip axis in amanner to provide for the terminal ends to be disposed in abutingrelationship when the side portions are displaced inwardly of theintermediate portion.

When side portion 30 is displaced laterally inwardly relative tointermediate portion 32, recess edges 30a and 32a are brought intojuxtaposed relationship. Similarly, recess edges 36a and 32b are broughtinto juxtaposed relationship when side portion 36 is displaced laterallyinwardly of intermediate portion 32. When so displaced, side portions 30and 36 are each interconnected with intermediate portion 32 in a mannerwhereby the edges therebetween are retained in the juxtaposed positionsthereof. Such interconnection can be achieved in any desired manner suchas by mechanically fastening the intermediate and side portions to oneanother or bonding the intermediate and side portions, such as by anadhesive, for example. Preferably, however, the interconnection isprovided by heat sealing the juxtaposed edges of the side portions andintermediate portion. Heating of the trim strip end to facilitatedisplacement of the side portions or to achieve displacement and a heatsealing bond when the latter is employed can be achieved in any desiredmanner. The temperature required to achieve heat sealing will vary, ofcourse, depending on the plastic material from which the trim strip isproduced. It has been found that the most desirable heat sealingrelationship is achieved with vinyl trim strip material when thetemperature thereof is elevated to a range of from about 400° to about450° F. Heating of the trim strip to the desired temperature can beachieved, for example by conductive heating, radiant heating, hot gasheating, induction heating or other suitable heating. Preferably,conductive heating is employed and may be achieved, for example, by theuse of a heating block such as block 40 illustrated by broken lines inFIG. 2. Such a heating block is contoured to correspond with therecesses in the trim strip end and is adapted to be moved into therecesses and into close proximity with or into engagement with therecess surfaces. Block 40 may be heated in any suitable manner such asby providing electric heating electrodes in recesses 42 thereof. It willbe appreciated, however, that other means of heating the block eitherprior to and/or during heating of the trim strip can be employed. Forexample, a hot fluid such as steam could be circulated through the blockor the block could be heated by means separate therefrom and then movedinto the trim strip recesses.

Lateral displacement of side portions 30 and 32 relative to intermediateportion 32 can be achieved in any desired manner such as by hand.Preferably, however, after the trim strip has been heated to thenecessary temperature and the heating block or other heating meansremoved from heating relationship therewith, the side portions aredisplaced laterally inwardly by a pair of laterally reciprocable dieelements 46 and 48 illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 3. Such dieelements preferably have interfaces contoured to correspond with thearcuate taper of the finished trim strip end such as is illustrated inFIG. 3. It will be appreciated, however, that lateral displacement ofthe side portions by laterally reciprocating components could beachieved with any form of rod or plate element adapted to engage acorresponding one of the side portions intermediate the opposite ends ofthe cut line defining the inner surfaces thereof. Further, a pluralityof cooperable displacing components could be provided along each side ofthe trim strip and operated, for example, for a first of the componentsto displace a longitudinally inward end of the corresponding sideportion toward the intermediate portion and for another of thecomponents to at the same time or thereafter displace the terminal endportion of the side portion toward the intermediate portion. It will befurther appreciated that such lateral inward displacement of the sideportions could be achieved by a longitudinally reciprocating componentor components as opposed to laterally reciprocating components. Manyarrangements for displacing the side portions to bring the side portionsand intermediate portion into juxtaposed relationship could be devised,the illustrated arrangement merely being one possible form.

The cutting of the recesses in the trim strip end can, of course, beachieved in any desired manner and can be performed by a plurality ofsuccessive cutting operations or by a single cutting operation producedby an appropriately contoured cutting die or opposed cooperating cuttingdies. Preferably, the trim strip is suitably retained in a fixeddisposition such as by clamping during the cutting, heating anddisplacing and bonding operations, and the components employed toachieve cutting, heating and lateral displacement of the side portionsare moved relative to the fixed trim strip. It will be appreciated,however, that the latter components could be retained in fixeddispositions and the trim strip moved into engagement therewith. Theside portions of the trim strip preferably are maintained in engagementwith the intermediate portion under pressure during the bondingoperation to enhance the bond therebetween. Such pressure may result ina small amount of the plastic material of the trim strip being exudedalong the lines of juncture between the side and intermediate portions.Such material will, of course, be suitably trimmed from the finished endto enhance the decorative appearance thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the completed trim strip end finish in this embodiment provides atapered end finish in which the side portions of the trim stripcooperate to define a continuous border extending about the end of thestrip. Further, with a trim strip having a cross-sectional configurationproviding for laterally contoured side portions and a distinctlycontoured intermediate portion the bond line between each side portionand the intermediate portion blends into the contour line between theside and intermediate portions behind the contoured end finish, wherebythe decorative appearance of the end finish is enhanced by avoiding anyreadily visible seams. Moreover, the terminal ends of the side portions,if properly tapered, have a seam therebetween in the finished end whichis visible only upon a close inspection of the finished end. This toodesirably adds to the decorative effect or appearance.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawing, there is illustrated yet another endcontour which can readily be provided on a trim strip of the characterillustrated in FIG. 1. In this respect, the trim strip is provided inthe manner set forth hereinabove with recesses 50 and 52 betweenremaining intermediate portion 54 and remaining side portions 56 and 58,respectively. In this embodiment, recess 50 has opposed edges defined byinner surface 56a of side portion 56 and surface 54a of intermediateportion 54. Similarly, recess 52 has opposed edges defined by innersurface 58a of side portion 58 and surface 54b of intermediate portion54. Further, the recess edges defined by surfaces 54a and 54b arearcuate and blend at the longitudinally outermost end of remainingintermediate portion 54 at a point 54c laterally intermediate the sideportions to define a semi-circular edge so that the formed end finishwill have a rounded contour, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Side portions 56and 58 are cut to a length to provide for terminal faces 56b and 58bthereof to be disposed in abuting relationship when the side portionsare displaced inwardly relative to intermediate portion 54. When sodisplaced, the side portions and intermediate portion are interconnectedto complete the end finish. The cutting of the trim strip, lateraldisplacement of side portions 56 and 58 and the interconnection of theside portions with the intermediate portion can be achieved as describedhereinabove with regard to the end finish illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.It will be again appreciated that the method of end finishing providesfor the juxtaposed edges of the side portions and intermediate portionto blend with the lines between the side and intermediate portionsbehind the end finish to give a substantially seamless appearance to theend finish.

FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing illustrate yet another end finish contourfor a trim strip of the character illustrated in FIG. 1, and which ismade in accordance with principles of the present invention. In thisrespect, the trim strip is provided in this embodiment with a singlerecess 60 defined by removing a portion of the trim strip material suchas by cutting the material along a first line between one of the sideportions and the intermediate portion and along a second cut lineintersecting the first cut line at one end extending laterally into theintermediate portion. More particularly, the recess provides for thetrim strip to have a remaining side portion 62, a remaining intermediateportion 64 and a side portion 66. Recess 60 has two edges one of whichis defined by the inner surface 62a of side portion 62 and the other ofwhich is defined by opposed inner surface 64a of remaining intermediateportion 64. The cut line extending into intermediate portion 64 todefine surface 64a in this instance extends completely across theintermediate portion and terminates at the corresponding juncturebetween the intermediate portion and side portion 66. This structureprovides for a trim strip end finish to be formed which has a straightedge along one side of the trim strip and an arcuately tapered edgealong the opposite side of the trim strip which intersects with thestraight edge to define the terminal end of the trim strip end finish.It will be appreciated, of course, that the cut line defining surface64a could be of a contour other than convex relative to remainingintermediate portion 64 and could, for example, be a straight cut lineor a concave cut line or a cut line having any desired contour otherthan straight or arcuate. The recessed trim strip end is finished to theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 7 in a manner similar to that pointedout hereinabove in conjunction with the description of the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that the terminalend faces 62b and 66a of side portions 62 and 66, respectively, will becontoured so that the end faces are in abuting relationship when sideportion 62 and intermediate portion 64 are relatively displacedlaterally to bring surfaces 62a and 64a into juxtaposed relationship.Further, as in the foregoing embodiments, the forming method providesfor the trim strip to have an end finish having the appearance of anintermediate trim strip portion and a continuous marginal or sideportion which is uninterrupted in extending about the periphery of theend of the strip. Again, the forming method further provides for asubstantially seamless appearance in the area of the end finish.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawing, there is illustrated a furtherembodiment wherein a trim strip of the character illustrated in FIG. 1is provided with an end finish having a fishtail contour formed inaccordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the end ofthe trim strip is provided with a pair of recesses 70 and 72. Therecesses are defined by removing a portion of the trim strip material ina manner whereby remaining side portion 74 and remaining intermediateportion 78 define recess 70 and remaining side portion 76 and remainingintermediate portion 80 defines recess 72. Each of the recesses has twoedges. In this respect, recess 70 has a first edge defined by innersurface 78a of remaining intermediate portion 78 and a second edgedefined by inner surface 74a of remaining side portion 74. Similarly,recess 72 has a first edge defined by the inner surface 80a of remainingintermediate portion 80 and a second edge defined by inner surface 76aof remaining side portion 76. The edge defined by surface 78a intersectswith one end of the edge defined by surface 74a and extends from thepoint of intersection laterally and longitudinally into the intermediateportion of a trim strip. Similarly, the edge defined by surface 80aintersects with one end of the edge defined by inner surface 76a andextends from the point of intersection laterally and longitudinally intothe intermediate portion. Moreover, the edges extending laterally andlongitudinally into the intermediate portion intersect, in theembodiment illustrated, at a point 82 which coincides generally with thelongitudinal axis of the trim strip. It will be appreciated, however,that the point of intersection of these edges could be located laterallyto either side of the trim strip axis.

In forming the cut trim strip end to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 9, remaining side portions 74 and 76 are displaced laterallyinwardly relative to the corresponding remaining intermediate portion,and to facilitate such displacement side portion 74 is provided with anotch 84 and a side portion 76 is provided with a notch 86 both of whichnotches have beveled side edges angularly related relative to oneanother and to the corresponding surfaces 78a and 80a so that the notchsurfaces, when the side portions are displaced to the positions thereofillustrated in FIG. 9, are in abuting relationship. In this embodiment,remaining side portions 74 and 76 preferably are displaced by hand tothe positions illustrated in FIG. 9. As described with regard to theprevious embodiments, the remaining side portions and intermediateportions are interconnected to retain the opposed edges of the sideportions and intermediate portions in juxtaposed relationship. If heatsealing of the juxtaposed edges is desired, a contoured heating toolsuch as tool 88 illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 9 can be introducedpartially into the recess followed by an unheated tool of similarcontour to apply pressure to the trim strip. Alternatively, the trimstrip could be otherwise heated and tool 88 employed merely to exertpressure during the heat sealing operation, in which case the tool 88would not have to be heated. Again, it will be appreciated that the endfinish illustrated in FIG. 9 provides for the trim strip to appear tohave a continuous decorative edge about the periphery of the trim stripend and that an apparently seamless construction is achieved, all ofwhich enhances the decorative appearance of the end finish.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another manner in which a trim strip of thecharacter illustrated in FIG. 1 can be provided with a decorative endfinish having a contour similar to the end finish illustrated in FIG. 3of the drawing. In this embodiment, a portion of the trim strip materialis removed to provide a recess 90 defined by remaining portions 92 and94. Recess 90 has two edges one of which is defined by inner surface 92aof remaining portion 92 and the other of which is defined by innersurface 94a of remaining portion 94. Moreover, the edges of the recessextend laterally and longitudinally into the intermediate portion 96 ofthe trim strip from the corresponding side edges 98 and 100,respectively, of the trim strip, and the edges intersect at a pointlaterally intermediate side edges 98 and 100. Remaining portions 92 and94 are displaced laterally inwardly relative to one another and to thelongitudinal axis of the trim strip to bring surfaces 92a and 94a intojuxtaposed relationship, and the portions 92 and 94 are suitablyinterconnected to retain the surfaces in juxtaposed relationship.Preferably, portions 92 and 94 are interconnected by heat sealing, andthe lateral displacement and heat sealing operation or operations can beachieved as described hereinabove. It will be noted that an end finishformed in the foregoing manner provides for the finished end to appearto have a continuous border about the periphery thereof, and providesfor a longitudinally extending seam to exist in the intermediate portionof the end finish between remaining intermediate portions 92 and 94.Such a seam, however, blends well with the color of the intermediateportion of the trim strip material and any excess plastic material whichmay exude therefrom during the heating sealing operation can be cut orotherwise removed therefrom so that the existance of the seam is notpronounced.

In all of the foregoing embodiments, the end finishes formed inaccordance with the present invention have been illustrated inconjunction with a trim strip having a cross-sectional configurationdefining an intermediate trim strip portion bordered by relativelynarrower visibly distinct side portions. It is to be noted, however,that the principles of the present invention are in no way limited tothe forming of the specific trim strip end finish contours illustratedor to the forming of end finishes on a trim strip having such astructural contour. In this respect, end finishes of the foregoingconfigurations and others can be provided on a trim strip havingstructural characteristics such as those of the trim strip illustratedin FIG. 12 of the drawing. In this respect, a trim strip 110 isillustrated in FIG. 12 which is comprised of a plastic body portion 112having an outer surface contoured to define laterally adjacent,outwardly and downwardly inclined portions 114 and 116 and correspondingdownwardly and outwardly inclined portions 118 and 120. It will beappreciated that the contoured outer surface of the trim strip could beprovided with any suitable decorative means such as an integralimpressed pattern or overlying decorative film means. In the embodimentillustrated, the outer surface is covered laterally by a thin film ofmetallized polyethylene terephthalate, whereby the trim strip has theappearance of a polished metal strip.

It will be appreciated that a trim strip of the structure illustrated inFIG. 12 does not have distinctly apparent intermediate and side portionsas does the trim strip illustrated in FIG. 1. The intermediate and sideportions for a trim strip of the character illustrated in FIG. 12 aredefined by imaginery longitudinal lines spaced laterally inwardly fromthe longitudinal side edges of the strip such as, for example, lines 126and 128. The lateral position of such lines relative to the side edgesof the strip will vary depending on such factors as the contour of theouter surface of the strip, the lateral width of the strip and theconfiguration of the end finish to be formed. FIGS. 13 and 14 of thedrawing illustrate the manner in which the trim strip of FIG. 12 can beformed in accordance with the present invention to define an end finishin which the longitudinal side portions of the trim strip taperarcuately inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the trim strip to definea pointed end finish.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a portion of the material of the trim stripis removed to provide recesses 130 and 132 defined, respectively, byremaining side portion 134 and remaining intermediate portion 136 and byremaining side portion 138 and remaining intermediate portion 136. Sideportions 134 and 138 are adapted to be displaced laterally inwardlyrelative to the trim strip axis, and each recess has two edges which arebrought into juxtaposed relationship by such displacement of the sideportions. More particularly, recess 130 has side edges defined by innersurface 134a of side portion 134 and outer surface 136a of intermediateportion 136, and recess 132 has edges defined by inner surface 138a ofside portion 138 and outer surface 136b of intermediate portion 136.Lateral displacement of the side portions and interconnection thereofwith intermediate portion 136 is achieved in the manner describedhereinabove with regard to the earlier embodiments. The completed endfinish is illustrated in FIG. 14 and it will be noted that seams existbetween the juxtaposed faces of the side portions and intermediateportion. However, if the cuts employed in forming the recesses aresharply defined such seams will not be readily visible and the existencethereof will not be pronounced. Although only one end finishconfiguration is illustrated, it will be appreciated that other endconfigurations including those illustrated hereinabove can readily beformed for such a trim strip structure.

The versatility provided in the forming of trim strip end finishes inaccordance with the present invention is further demonstrated in FIGS.15-17. In this respect, a trim strip structure is illustrated in FIG. 15having a cross-sectional contour configured to provide longitudinallyextending side portions and an intermediate portion which are readilydistinguishable. The trim strip structure in this embodiment, however,distinguishes from the trim strip illustrated in FIG. 1 in that theintermediate portion is laterally narrow and the side portions arerelatively wide in comparison therewith. In this respect, with referenceto FIG. 15, a trim strip 140 is illustrated which is comprised of aplastic body portion 142 having a concave outer surface 144 providedsubstantially centrally therewith with a longitudinally extendingoutwardly projecting plastic bumper 146 which may be integral with orseparate from and bonded to body portion 142. Bumper 146 and theunderlying portion of the material of body 142 define an intermediateportion of the trim strip and the portions of material of body 142 alonglaterally opposite sides of bumper 146 define side portions readilydistinguishable from the intermediate portion by the line of juncturebetween the bumper and the outer surface of the body portion. In theembodiment illustrated, the outer surfaces of the side portions of thetrim strip are covered with corresponding films of metallizedpolyethylene terephthalate 148. Thus, the trim strip has the appearanceof a polished metal strip carrying an intermediate laterally narrowprotectve plastic bumper.

The trim strip illustrated in FIG. 15 can be formed to provide many endfinish configurations including those described hereinabove, and FIG. 16and 17 are illustrative of the manner in which the trim strip can beformed to provide a pointed end finish. In this respect, a portion ofthe trim strip material is removed to provide recesses 150 and 152defined, respectively, by remaining side portion 154 and remainingintermediate portion 156 and by remaining side portion 158 and remainingintermediate portion 156. Further, recesses 150 and 152 each have twoside edges, the side edges of recess 150 being defined by inner surface154a of side portion 154 and outer surface 156a of intermediate portion156 and the sides of recess 152 being defined by inner surface 158a ofside portion 158 and outer surface 156b of intermediate portion 156.Side portions 154 and 158 are adapted to be laterally displaced inwardlyrelative to the longitudinal axis of the trim strip to bring the opposedrecess surfaces into juxtaposed relationship, and the terminal ends ofside portions 154 and 158 are appropriately tapered longitudinally forthe faces 154b and 158b thereof to be disposed in juxtaposedrelationship upon lateral displacement of the side portions. Uponlateral displacement of the side portions, the side portions andintermediate portions are interconnected as described hereinabove andpreferably are heat sealed to retain the opposed surfaces of the sideportions and intermediate portion in juxtaposed relationship.

In many of the embodiments described herein, the side portions areillustrated as being of equal length so as to abute laterally centrallyof the intermediate portion. It will be appreciated, however, that oneof the side portions could be of a length to extend completely aroundthe contoured intermediate portion from the corresponding side of thestrip and into abuting relationship with the side portion on the otherside of the strip.

The principles of the present invention have been described herein insufficient detail to enable others to clearly understand the inventionupon a reading of the disclosure. As many possible embodiments of thepresent invention may be made and as many possible changes may be madein the embodiments herein described, it is to be distinctly understoodthat the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely asillustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

I claim:
 1. A method of forming an end finish on at least one of theopposite ends of an elongated, thin and laterally narrow plastic trimstrip mountable on an underlying support surface, said trim strip intransverse cross-section being thinner than it is wide and includinglaterally spaced apart side portions and an intermediate portiontherebetween and integral therewith, said side and intermediate portionsbeing longitudinally continuous between said opposite ends and having acommon bottom surface and corresponding outer surfaces spaced above saidbotton surface, the outer surfaces of said side portions being ofidentical contour and dimension transversely of said strip and havinglaterally spaced apart inner and outer edges, the inner edges of saidouter surfaces of said side portions being laterally spaced apart andintersecting the outer surface of said intermediate portion at an angleto provide laterally spaced apart visible lines of junction between saidside portions and said intermediate portion, said lines of junctureextending parallel to one another between said opposite ends of saidtrim strip, the method comprising the steps of: cutting said trim striplongitudinally along a first cut line on at least one of said lines ofjuncture and from said one end of said trim strip to a first location onsaid one line of juncture between said opposite ends and spaced fromsaid one end, said first cut line being completely through said strip inthe direction perpendicular to said bottom surface, cutting saidintermediate portion completely through said trim strip in saidperpendicular directon and along a second cut line extending from saidfirst location laterally across said intermediate portion andterminating at a second location on the other of said lines of junctureto define a laterally extending end face for said intermediate portion,cutting said trim strip longitudinally along a third cut line on saidother line of juncture and from said second location to said one end,removing the material of the intermediate portion of said strip betweensaid second cut line said lines of juncture and said one end of thestrip, cutting each of said side portions in said perpendiculardirection to provide end faces therefor intersecting the correspondingline of juncture and to provide lengths of said side portions along saidlines of juncture from the corresponding one of said first and secondlocations to the corresponding one of said side portion end faces, saidlengths of said side portions together being equal to the length of saidlaterally extending end face of said intermediate portion between saidfirst and second locations, displacing at least one of said lengths ofsaid side portions laterally inwardly of said strip into juxtaposed andcovering relationship with a corresponding length of said end face ofsaid intermediate portion and to bring said end faces of said sideportions into juxtaposed facial relationship, and bonding said displacedlength of said side portions and said intermediate portion to maintainsaid juxtaposed relationships, whereby said side portions togetherdefine a continuous border longitudinally of said intermediate portionand laterally about said end face thereof.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said outer surfaces of said side portions and saidintermediate portion have contrasting colors, and the colors of saidouter surfaces of said side portions are identical.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, said first and second locations being spaced thesame distance from said one end of said strip, cutting said sideportions for said lengths thereof from said first and second locationsto be equal, displacing each said length into juxtaposed relationshipwith respect to a corresponding length of said end face of saidintermediate portion, and bonding each said length to said intermediateportion.
 4. The method according to claim 3, and heating said trim stripto elevate the temperature of the trim strip material sufficiently toachieve a heat seal bond between said displaced lengths of said sideportions and said intermediate portion.
 5. The method according to claim1, and bonding said displaced length to said intermediate portion byheat sealing.
 6. A method of forming an end finish on at least one ofthe opposite ends of an elongated, thin and laterally narrow plastictrim strip mountable on an underlying support surface, said trim stripin transverse cross-section being thinner than it is wide and includinglaterally spaced apart side portions and an intermediate portiontherebetween and integral therewith, said side and intermediate portionsbeing longitudinally continuous between said opposite ends and having acommon bottom surface and corresponding outer surfaces spaced above saidbottom surface, the outer surfaces of said side portions being ofidentical arcuate contour and dimension transversely of said strip andhaving laterally spaced apart inner and outer edges, the inner edges ofsaid outer surfaces of said side portions being laterally spaced apartand intersecting the outer surface of said intermediate portion at anangle to provide laterally spaced apart visible lines of juncturebetween said side portions and said intermediate portion, said lines ofjuncture extending parallel to one another between said opposite ends ofsaid trim strip, and said outer surfaces of said side portions havingdecorative means thereon distinct in appearance from the outer surfaceof said intermediate portion, the method comprising the steps of:cutting said trim strip longitudinally along a first cut line on each ofsaid lines of juncture and extending from said one end of the strip to afirst location on the corresponding line of juncture between saidopposite ends and spaced from said one end of said strip, said first cutlines being completely through said trim strip in the directionperpendicular to said bottom surface, cutting said intermediate portioncompletely through said trim strip in said perpendicular direction andalong a second cut line extending between said first locations anddefining a generally V-shaped end face for said intermediate portionwith the vertex of the V facing said one end of said trim strip,removing the material of said intermediate portion between said firstand second cut lines and said one end of said strip, cutting each ofsaid end portions in said perpendicular direction to provide end facestherefor spaced from the corresponding one of said first locations inthe direction toward said one end of the strip, said end faces of saidside portions intersecting said first cut lines to provide side portionlengths along said first cut lines each equal to the length of a leg ofsaid V-shaped end face, displacing each of said side portions laterallyinwardly of said strip into juxtaposed and covering relationship withrespect to the corresponding leg of said V-shaped end face of saidintermediate portion and to bring said end faces of said side portionsinto juxtaposed facial relationship, and bonding said side andintermediate portions to maintain said juxtaposed relationships, wherebysaid side portions together define a continuous border longitudinally ofsaid intermediate portion and laterally about said end face thereof. 7.The method according to claim 6, and heating said trim strip to elevatethe temperature of the trim strip material sufficiently to achieve aheat seal bond between said side portions and said end face of saidintermediate portion.
 8. The method according to claim 7, and applyingpressure to said side portions during said heat sealing.